GEOGRAPHY
Geography Department Staff (from Left to Right):
Anthony Catto: PGCE (Rhodes)
Sue Webber: BSc:HONS(Rhodes), HDE (UNISA), PGCHET (Rhodes); Currently studying for an MEd (Rhodes)
Claudia Chandler: Head of Department - BA:HONS; MA (UND); PGCE (Rhodes)
Luc Hoefnagels: BA (Stellenbosch); HDE (UCT)
The Geography Department is staffed by four very capable and energetic teachers who continuously develop and nurture the learners in their care. Our aim in the department is to engender a love for Geography through the variety of teaching practices available. We encourage independent and critical thinking and challenge our learners to present work based on sound academic principles. We follow the National Curriculum Statement for Geography and write the Independent Examination Boards' National Senior Certificate in Matric. Our results in last years IEB final examination was impressive, with a 100% pass rate. 4 out of 16 DSG girls and 6 out of 38 College boys achieved A-symbols. Practical application is an integral part of Geography, hence the need for fieldtrips. Both the Matric and Grade 11 classes do geomorphological day-trips. The Grade 12's reinforce their theoretical knowledge by studying intrusive rocks, horizontal and inclined strata as well as river erosion and deposition. The Grade 11's go the Kenton to study how the ocean erodes the coastline and deposits sediments on the beaches. Ricci Brocco and Luc Hoefnagels took 12 Grade 10 boys on a trip down to Cape Town last year. An integrated project driven by Claudia Chandler for the Grade 9's focussing on environmental issues has been set up. The Grade 8's do an urban trail or walkabout. Sue Webber has been the driving force in heading up the Environmental Green Committee. Making both the DSG and College campuses more eco-friendly, is their chief goal. Members of the department also mark IEB Matric scripts and are involved in regional portfolio moderation for the IEB.
Geography's contribution to society is about preparing pupils for the changing world where we face global issues such as climate change, globalisation and poverty. Pupils need to be equipped not only with knowledge but values for life.
Grade 12 Geography Field Trip
The grade 12s investigated fluvial geomorphology and structural landforms in a field trip to Carlisle Bridge. This involved observation, explanation and the drawing of horizontal, inclined and massive rock landforms. At Carlisle Bridge they pondered the decline of the local farming community as a result of land use changes (sheep farming to game farming) as well as the impact that several floods that have occurred over time would have had on the community, the land and the infrastructure. Observation of the river considered how the river shapes the valleys that it moves through.
Grade 11 Geography Field Trip
The three Grade 11 Geography class recently went on a field trip to Kenton-on-Sea for the day. The purpose of the trip was to bring the theory that had been learned in the classroom to life. The classes studied coastal landforms, including arches, caves, blow holes and wave cut platforms, as well as man made features, such as beach walls. In between the learning, there was time for a game of touch rugby, and a frolic in the waves.
Grade 8 Geography Field Trip The Grade 8 ‘exam’ took the form of a field trip in which the year’s work to date was concretised through a visual journey through Grahamstown. The aim of the morning was not only to make real those elements that the pupils have been learning about in class, but also to provide them with a far broader picture of Grahamstown. The grade 8s were divided into three groups and they rotated through the three activities. There was a bus tour through the various residential and industrial areas of Grahamstown- with a stop in Artificers Square. Then a climb to the top of Sugar Loaf Hill provided a vantage point from which to locate a whole array of land uses on a map. Following from this the grade 8s walked along High Street – from the Drostdy Arch to the old railway Station noting the condition and function of buildings. They then returned to school – in time to have a quick tea and were given an opportunity to sit calmly and make sure that they had completed their map drawings en route, and to write a reflection about what they had learned during the morning. 
Kelly Long to represent South Africa 25th January 2012
Kelly Long will represent South Africa at the 5th International Sustainable World Project Olympiad in the USA
